Chen Yu - Detailed Instruction

[Bob]

Very nice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_MxJy-sVN4



A very sensible article:

https://taijigongfu.com/health-martial- ... ltivation/

Chen Zhaokui Taijiquan Association North America
陈照奎太极拳社北美分站 Chen Shi Taijiquan Gongfu Jia 陈照奎 陈氏太极拳

Health Martial Arts & Cultivation
Posted on December 3, 2014 in Articles

Since the recent growth of popularity in Tai Chi Chuan since the 1970’s in the west, much attention has been paid to its’ health benefits. I think at this point it is fair to say that in the west the taiji quan scene is still dominated by health consciousness, which is not a bad thing. Much taijiquan has been associated with the worlds of Yoga and meditation and even the so called “new age” movement. For some it appears that the world of fighting and the world of health are at odds. I personally have seen a lot of practices that sacrifice health for the sake of the martial aspect as well as in other cases sacrificing the martial side with or without knowing it, for the sake of health. Here I want to clarify what really are the health and martial arts benefits of (Chen) taijiquan practice, and address the question of their co-existence.

Tai Ji Quan & Health:

In Chinese medicinal terms a lot of what I will write here just makes sense in terms of Taijiquan and Qi Gong practice, but I am going to break some of this down into western ideas of causation for the sake of understanding.

First it must be made clear that Taijiquan was developed by a retired soldier, a fighter who had knowledge of martial arts as well as Chinese medicinal and cultivational practices. It was primarily developed as a martial art practice with the intention of making the best use of the human body’s cultivational facility while practicing. It originally was not developed with the idea of giving old people a method of moving slowly in the morning to alleviate arthritis although it can be used that way.

Through the development of Chan Si Jin (churning spiraling movement) and stretching and contracting, the art will loosen and strengthen joints and limbs as well as internal organs by way of actual movement and massaging action. This type of physical conditioning can be very helpful in alleviating chronic joint, neck, and back pain due to injury or repetitive stress situations. As taijiquan stresses healthful body alignment, it is like a repetitive healing as opposed to strain if practiced correctly.

Proper practice will also lead to strengthening of the body as a whole through muscle use. Chen Taijiquan if practiced in its’ intended fashion requires high development of leg strength whereas most other branches do not because their stances are quite high in comparison(although Chen can be practiced high as well). Studies have also shown, although I do not have the data here..sorry…that the turning action, standing, and body alignment in practice stimulates bone growth leading to a healthy bone density at any age even with a low impact practice.

Breathing meditation in union with full body movement leads to a very relaxed state of mind that is very helpful in stress reduction and attaining higher states of consciousness. Proper practice leads to healthful blood circulation and it is also said that it leads to richer healthier blood through stimulation of bone marrow. Visualization and opening of Qi pathways through movement leads to increased energy flow and cultivation in the body, which basically brings life giving energy wherever it flows. I cannot really westernize this idea here folks..in western medicine illness is treated on a location and cause and effect basis, (which is very effective and necessary in many applications) but in this traditional Chinese approach illness is viewed in a holistic way.

Local illness is often viewed as a failure of life energy or “Qi” to flow freely or correctly in or to that location. Proper practice creates a stronger immune system and general vitality as well. Also, not a small effect though often overlooked, is SWEATING. Chen taijiquan is not easy and practiced as designed one will break into a sweat in a short time. In China sweating from Gongfu practice is seen as very important as it cleans the toxins from the body, especially during internal arts which also use Qi Gong to clean the body.

BUT:

Taiji quan is not a cure-all. It may be very helpful in preventing cancers and other life threatening illnesses as well as aide in recovery and treatments, but it is not a magical cure. Taijiquan by itself cannot overcome an unhealthy lifestyle in the fight against illness. In combination with healthy diet, a manageable stress level and the absence of toxins and tragic genetics, it is a great benefit.

There is a lot more to write about the health benefits of taijiquan practice, but the really deep stuff has to be felt to be understood; the most obvious benefit is the amazing feeling of cellular joy that a practitioner feels on a daily basis! . . .

[Bhassler]

I think the original video is "detailed" in the sense of the choreographic landmarks of the form, but not really in terms of the "whys" and "hows" of it all. I think this video is a lot meatier in terms of the actual body method that differentiates it from other lines.

[Bob]

Great stuff - thanks